LIISA BLAKENEY
Northridge,CA
Summary
Dynamic and creative professional specializing in consumer products, with expertise in quality control, photo styling, visual display, merchandising, personal shopping, and sales. Possesses a keen eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, complemented by a strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer service. Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments while maintaining a focus on quality and client satisfaction. Adept at leveraging diverse skills to enhance brand presentation and drive sales growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Community Outreach
Spirit of Zion FC
North Hollywood, CA
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Collaborated with community groups, nonprofits, schools, and individuals to address needs and support fundraising efforts for disadvantaged populations.
- Managed comprehensive logistics for meetings, conferences, weddings, memorials, and other life events to facilitate successful outcomes.
- Oversaw volunteer coordination to implement training programs. Developed appreciation initiatives to recognize volunteer contributions. Facilitated group outings to enhance team cohesion and morale.
- Led outreach programs that increased awareness of social services available to underserved populations.
- Lead volunteer recruitment efforts, increasing participation and community involvement.
- Develop comprehensive outreach programs to enhance community engagement and awareness.
Consumer Products Inspector
UL Solutions
Greater Los Angeles, CA
01.2007 - 12.2021
- Executed domestic visual inspections across the U.S. to ensure compliance with standards and regulations for food, cosmetics, apparel, home electronics, and various consumer products.
- Achieved high standards of quality by inspecting goods and materials for adherence to client specifications regarding function and packaging. Identified defects and evaluated overall workmanship during in-process and final stages, applying ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 sampling table for thorough analysis.
- Managed packaging operations and performed thorough pre-shipment checks to maintain compliance with shipping standards.
- Conducted thorough sample selection, precise packaging, and timely shipping for laboratory testing, adhering to established SOPs and client requirements.
- Conducted thorough inspections and audits, compiling detailed records for inclusion in final inspection report.
Field Merchandise Coordinator
Winston Retail Services
Los Angeles, CA
01.2008 - 12.2009
- Implement and execute retail visual presentation for top apparel, footwear, sport and lifestyle brands with merchandising directives, installation and planograms.
- Cultivating brand awareness, training and relationship building thus elevating the shopping experience.
- Comprehensive reports and photos regarding inventory levels, fixtures, best sellers, trends, issues, ordering signs and fixtures.
- Developed promotional strategies that increased brand visibility and drove customer engagement.
- Coordinated merchandise plans to optimize product placement and enhance visual appeal.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline inventory management processes.
- Analyzed sales data to inform merchandising decisions and improve stock levels.
- Arranged consistent shelves, bins, and racks at 25 locations by following established planograms.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop effective merchandising strategies.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on merchandising standards and best practices.
- Coordinated merchandise planning and execution for optimal inventory management.
Home & Product Stylist
Robinson's May/Meir Frank Division
Industry, CA
11.1999 - 12.2006
- Collaborate with art directors, and other key partners, to develop fresh and engaging content for all print advertising.
- Drive the creation and implement compelling product stories by balancing merchant requirements, product details, creativity, trend awareness, customer insights and marketing strategies.
- Effectively cross-train stylists and assistants, lead meetings with clear communication skills to provide direction about the product, brand concepts and merchandising standards.
- Built strong and lasting rapport with clients through consistent delivery of requested services and exceptional results.
Education
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Marketing Management
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CAAssociate of Arts (A.A.) - Art and Interior Design
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CABachelor of Science (B.S.) - Home Economics in Business
California State University Northridge
Northridge, CASkills
- Visual merchandising skills
- Nonprofit experience
- Collaborative mindset
- Community engagement
- Multicultural competence
- Influencing skills
- Event management
- Customer service
Timeline
Director of Community Outreach
Spirit of Zion FC
01.2022 - 12.2024
Field Merchandise Coordinator
Winston Retail Services
01.2008 - 12.2009
Consumer Products Inspector
UL Solutions
01.2007 - 12.2021
Home & Product Stylist
Robinson's May/Meir Frank Division
11.1999 - 12.2006
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Art and Interior Design
Los Angeles Valley College
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Marketing Management
Los Angeles Pierce College
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Home Economics in Business
California State University Northridge